Here to Protect: How RiskSTOP Group Found Its Home in Poundbury

One of Poundbury's original businesses returned to its roots and built a thriving company culture prioritising community, care, and commitment.

When RiskSTOP Group first opened its doors in Poundbury in 2001, this development was still finding its feet. Twenty-five years later, both Poundbury and RiskSTOP Group have grown into something far more substantial - and their stories remain intertwined.

Credit: RiskSTOP Group

"Poundbury is central to our identity as a business," says Danny Lillington, Managing Director at RiskSTOP Group. "After a period at Winfrith Technology Centre, we made the conscious decision to return here in 2008, and Mey House has been our home ever since. We've grown from a handful of people with a phone and a fax machine to 150 employees nationwide - with 125 of them based right here in Poundbury."

Credit: RiskSTOP Group

That growth hasn't been accidental. RiskSTOP Group, now the UK's largest independent provider of risk management services to the insurance industry, has built its success on a simple philosophy: putting people at the heart of everything they do. That applies equally to their clients, their team, and the community around them. While much of RiskSTOP Group's work involves supporting insurance companies with risk management, their subsidiary  RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com serves homeowners, landlords, and commercial property owners directly - helping ensure buildings are insured for the correct rebuild cost and protecting against both the under and over-insurance that affects 9 out of 10 UK properties.

The accolades speak for themselves. In 2005, RiskSTOP Group won the Queen's Award for Enterprise for Innovation. In 2021, they received the Mental Wellbeing and Awareness Award. In 2022, they were named Best Place to Work. But for Natalie Joyce, Head of Social Responsibility and Sustainability, it's clear that these awards reflect something deeper.

"We're committed to creating a workplace where people genuinely want to be," she explains. "That means competitive salaries, yes, but also 28 days annual leave + bank holidays, flexible and hybrid working, comprehensive wellbeing support, apprenticeships, mentoring, and real opportunities for career progression. Several of our current leaders started in entry-level roles and worked their way up. That's the kind of culture we're proud of."

Credit: RiskSTOP Group

The company's values - care, learning, innovation, and growth - aren't just motivational posters on the wall. They're embedded in initiatives like their regular "People at the Heart" podcast, which explores themes from neurodiversity to living organ donation, and in the way they've structured employee benefits around genuine work-life balance.

The company actively encourages car-sharing and sustainable travel, and every team member gets one paid day per year for volunteering, many of whom choose to support Poundbury's LitterPickers group, helping to keep Poundbury tidy. "Our people love it here," says Natalie. "We enjoy the green spaces, the independent cafés and shops, the restaurants. Supporting local businesses daily is something we actively encourage. Being part of Poundbury's economy isn't just good business - it's about being good neighbours."

That neighbouring spirit extends well beyond Poundbury's boundaries. In recent months alone, RiskSTOP Group's team has raised over £5,500 for Médecins Sans Frontières, pulled a 35,000kg Boeing 737 to support Autism Unlimited, donated Easter treats to local food banks, and supported charities including Weldmar Hospicecare, the YOU Trust, and Magic Breakfast.

They offer work experience placements for local students, including those from neurodiverse backgrounds, and regularly engage with schools to support learning outside the classroom.

"For us, community engagement isn't just ticking a box," Natalie emphasises. "We're Dorset born and bred. This is our home. Social responsibility is woven into everything we do—from how we treat our employees to how we show up for local causes."

For those wondering what makes Poundbury such an attractive base for a growing business, Natalie's answer is immediate: "Poundbury offers attractive modern offices within a vibrant, well-designed community. The ethos behind this development—prioritising people over cars, creating beautiful shared spaces, using sustainable materials—aligns completely with our own values. We could have based ourselves anywhere, but we chose to come back here. That tells you everything."

Credit: RiskSTOP Group

Today, as RiskSTOP Group continues to expand, with offices in Puttenham and home-based workers across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Mey House remains the beating heart of the operation. And the company continues to recruit across multiple roles - from data administrators and risk consultants to survey coordinators and assessment specialists - offering genuine career pathways for those who share their values.

"We work hard, but we also create an environment where people can thrive," says Danny. "If you're passionate about what you do, care about making a positive impact, and want to be part of something bigger than yourself, we'd love to hear from you."

For more information about careers at RiskSTOP Group, visit www.riskstopgroup.co.uk/working-with-us

For more information about working in Poundbury, click here.

For more information about businesses already located in Poundbury, click here.